A warmth overcame Sphinx's body as she watched the cognition of herself vanish. She placed a hand over her heart and smiled. Her blissful moment was ruined when she watched Kamoshida run past her with the crown in his grasp. She eyed him with a glare as he ran to a nearby balcony.

The man desperately searched for an escape route but couldn't find a single one. Beads of sweat covered his body as he continues to frantically search for a way to avoid confrontation with the phantom thieves. It didn't take long for Joker, Sphinx, Panther, Skull, and Mona to surround him.

"What's wrong? Not running away?" Panther taunted. "Why don't you run? Aren't you a great athlete?"

"It's always been like this...all those goddamn hyenas forcing their expectations on me!" Kamoshida bellowed. "I'm doing this all for them! What's wrong about demanding a reward for that?!"

"Now you're makin' excuses?" Skull sighed in disbelief. "We'll do something about that distorted heart of yours."

Kamoshida whimpered as he stared over the railing of the balcony, which didn't go unheard by Panther. "Scared?" She inquired. "Right now, you're seeing the same view that Shiho did. I'm sure she was scared too...except she had no choice but to jump... What will you do? Will you jump? Or would you rather die here?"

"Panther..." Sphinx was flabbergasted by the girl's question. She'd never seen such a dark side of her until now. She knew Kamoshida deserved to be punished, but death was not an option in her book. How would he pay for his crimes if he was dead? She prayed Panther would spare the man so the real Kamoshida could confess his wrongdoings and all those he wronged will finally have justice.

Another whimper slipped from Kamoshida's lips when he turned around to face the group. Panther summoned her Persona when she locked gazes with the man. Carmen loomed behind her, wielding a fireball. He hugged the crown and took a few steps back out of fear.

"Do you want to finish him off?" Mona asked. "It's your call."

"No, please wait!" The man pleaded. "I beg you...just forgive me!"

"Shut up," the girl hissed. "I bet everyone told you the same."

"I accept defeat..." Kamoshida held out the crown. "You want this? Take it." He tossed the treasure and Joker caught it with ease. "Go ahead and finish me off... You do that and my real self will go down too... You have the right since you've won."

Panther's fists clenched tightly, her teeth gritted in anger. She directed a fireball at Kamoshida, which earned a worried cry from Skull and Joker. Fortunately, the blonde missed on purpose. "If his mind shuts down, he can't admit his crimes."

"You're kind, Lady Ann," Mona commented. The feline then looked toward Sphinx, who had been silent the entire time. "Is this also your choice, Lady Mikono?"

She nodded. "Yes. Death would be an escape for him, not a punishment."

Kamoshida fell to his knees, lowering his head. "I've lost. You're through when you lose... What am I-What am I supposed to do now?"

"Atone for your sins," Joker said. "It's the only thing you can do."

The man lifted his head. "All right... I will leave now and return to my real self... I'll make certain that I-" Before he could finish his sentence, he vanished.

"It's finally over..." Sphinx sighed, staring at the spot Kamoshida once stood.

"Hey, just so you know, we don't have time to waste," Mona spoke up as their surrounding began to shake violently. Rubble rained down around them, threatening to bury them. "This place is about to collapse!"

The cat suddenly sat down and began licking itself. Sphinx grabbed it by the top of its head and hauled it into her arms. "This is no time to lick yourself!"

"Run!" Skull shouted.

The phantom thieves charged out of the throne room and to wherever they could escape the collapsing Palace.

"We're gonna die! We're so gonna die!" Panther wailed as they ran down a seemingly endless hallway, glancing behind them.

"Don't look behind us, just run!" Sphinx yelled over the rumbling and her thumping heart. She held on to Mona as she ran, but its form suddenly changed.

The cat leapt out of her arms and on to Panther's head. "Hey, what the-?!"

It moved forward by jumping on to Skull's head next before making another leap for Joker's shoulder.

"No fair, you jerk!" Skull yelled. Mona turned its head and meowed at him, its tail flicking back and forth.

Sphinx noticed her best friend's hand move toward his weaker leg. Before she could ask if he was all right, he collapsed.

"Ryuji!" Panther shouted as she and Joker turned toward him.

"Heh... It's been a while, so I just tripped, is all!" He forced a smile. Another thunderous rumbling caught the group's attention. Looking behind them, they saw the ceiling beginning to collapse.

Sphinx kneeled beside him and took his hand in hers, helping him to his feet. "Think you can run a little longer?"

"Y-Yeah," he answered.

Sphinx released Skull's hand and continued to run beside him until they were able to exit the Metaverse.

<--------<<<<<

The group arrived back in the alley located across from Shujin Academy. Everyone except for Morgana was panting.

"That sucked..." Ann managed to say between pants.

"Look at the nav!" Ryuji shouted, startling the others.

The teens pulled out their phones and all four phones were in sync as a computerized voice announced, "The destination has been deleted."

The blonde girl stared at her phone. "It's true. We can't go there anymore."

"What about the treasure?!" Morgana asked worriedly.

Akira smirked as he pulled a medal out of his pocket. "I've got it right here."

"What the...?" Ryuji eyed the medal in confusion.

"A medal?" Ann muttered. "Wait, where'd that crown go?"

"The medal is the crown," Mikono said. "After we transitioned from one world to another, its form changed just like Morgana."

Ryuji crosses his arms, still confused. "Uh..."

"The medal is the source of Kamoshida's desires. Because of the distortion of the Metaverse, it appeared as a crown."

"Exactly," Morgana said. "To him, this medal is worth as much as that crown we saw in the Palace."

"An Olympic medal..." Ryuji mumbled. "So, that perv kept clingin' to his past glory and couldn't let it go..."

"But...this means that Kamoshida's heart might have changed, right?" The blonde girl asked.

"Probably," Morgana responded.

Ryuji's eyes widen as he stares down at the cat. "Our expulsion's on the line here!"

"This is the first successful example for me too. However, there's no doubt that this has affected Kamoshida's personality quite a lot. The entire Palace disappeared, after all."

The chocolate-eyed boy scratched his head with furrowed brows. "Ugh, I feel all antsy! Ain't there a way to check now?"

"We'll know soon enough," Akira stated.

"Right..." Ann sighed with a dejected frown.

"Come on, why the gloomy faces? Be happy! We completed this with great success, you know," Morgana said.

"Speaking of..." Ryuji looked toward Mikono. "What did you do back there, Mikky?"

"I did nothing. I was just as shocked as you guys were," she confessed.

"That cognition of you..." Morgana began. "It was different than the last time we saw her. She was no longer under Kamoshida's control and it was his own desires that created her. In the end, he was destroyed by his own desires. It's kinda poetic."

"I wouldn't think too much about it, Morgana. You'd probably lose sleep over it," the inky-haired girl said.

"You're right. We still have to see if Kamoshida's really had a change of heart. I'm pretty sure it'll be fine, though."

"Why's that?" Akira asked.

"Remember how Kamoshida's Shadow said that he's returning to his self in reality?" The cat asked and the boy nodded, allowing him to continue. "Suguru Kamoshida was a scum. Still... He did seem to regain his conscience somewhat at the end."

"I'm sure it worked," the bespectacled boy responded with confidence.

Morgana smiled at him and the others. "There are definitely those who have been saved thanks to what you've done. Lady Mikono is one of those people."

"Yes," said girl spoke up. "I can't thank you all enough. Maybe... Maybe I'll finally be able to wake up in the morning and not fear going to school."

"Mikky..." Ryuji stared at her with a gentle expression.

"Don't sell yourself short," Akira said. "Without you, we wouldn't have been able to accomplish our goal."

"He's right!" Ann smiled. "With your healing and amazing powers, we were able to keep fighting. I'm glad you're on our side."

The girl's words caused a smile to blossom on Mikono's face. "It's nice to finally have a female friend. No offense, Akira, Ryuji."

"None taken," Ryuji grinned.

"I know we haven't seen the outcome of our actions, but I have a feeling we were successful."

"All we can do is wait," Akira said.

"It all boils down to what's gonna happen to Kamoshida...or if we're gettin' expelled for real..." Ryuji sighed.

"Let's be patient. For now, we should head home and get some rest," the frizzy-haired boy advised.

"Right. C'mon, let's go home."

|| 4/22 Friday ||
|| Lunchtime ||

Mikono smiled once hearing the lunch bell. She grabbed the bento she made and a smaller container of tuna and rice. She rendezvoused with Akira, Morgana, and Ann in the courtyard for lunch. She unwrapped the furoshiki from around her bento and took the lid off the smaller container. She placed it in front of Akira's bag before unzipping it. "Morgana, I brought you some tuna and rice today."

The cat leapt out of the bag, eyes gleaming with affection. "You truly are a goddess, Lady Mikono!" Without hesitating, it scarfed down the food.

"You really do spoil Morgana," Ann said.

"I really didn't have to go out of the way to make it. My mom buys a lot of tuna and some of it always spoils before we can eat it all. And the rice... Well, my mom already made some."

"You should make a bento for me," Akira sarcastically said.

Mikono blinked a few times before smiling. "I should! What would you like? Noodles, fish, pickled vegetables, or something else?"

Akira choked on the bread he was munching on. He pounded a fist against his chest until he dislodged the piece of food. He coughed once his throat was cleared. "I-I was just kidding, Mikono."

"I know, but I wasn't," she answered. "I'd love to make you a bento. Just tell me what you want in it and I'll gladly make it for you. After all, school lunches get boring and bland after a while."

"Really?" He asked, shocked at her offer.

"Yeah."

Morgana and Ann looked between the two, realizing they were in their own little world. The two exchanged glances and smirked.

Once the four finished lunch, they headed back to the classroom. Ann went ahead with Morgana, who was hidden inside Akira's bag.

While walking through the hallway to class, Akira and Mikono spotted Ryuji. They approached the blonde and saw the perplexed expression on his face.

"You didn't join us for lunch. What's wrong, Ryuji?" Mikono questioned.

"Have either of you seen Kamoshida?" He responded with his own question. "You guys really think he changed?"

"I hope so," Akira said.

"His sudden absence has to be proof, right?" The girl pondered.

"Well, yeah..." The chocolate-eyed boy mumbled.

"Oh, perfect timing!" A feminine voice startled the group. Turning their heads, they saw Ms. Kawakami walking toward them. "Study hall will be held instead of PE today. I'm letting you know just in case you haven't heard. Mr. Kamoshida has taken the day off."

Ryuji's eyes widen. "He ain't here...?"

Ms. Kawakami glanced up and down the hall to see if there were any prying eyes. When she spotted no one, she said, "Don't tell anyone that you heard this from me... But we received word that Mr. Kamoshida is placing himself under suspension."

The trio's eyes widen at the news. Mikono tilted her head slightly. "He...placed himself under suspension?" She whispered to herself.

"It's such an important time before the tournament too..." Ms. Kawakami sighed. "Principal Kobayakawa went to talk to him about it, but he supposedly wasn't making any sense..."

"Wait, a suspension?!" Ryuji hollered.

The teacher glared at him. "Not so loud!" She retracted her glare, another sigh slipping past her lips. "The talks about your expulsions may be put on hold too. I don't know too much about it though. Anyway, I've relayed what's going on to you." With that, she left.

The second the teacher was out of earshot, Ryuji crosses his arms and looked at his two friends. "Looks like something happened."

"The question we should be asking is what," Mikono said.

"At least it sounds different from a mental shutdown. I guess all we can do is wait..."

"You never were one with patience," Mikono snickered.

"H-Hey, I do too have patience!"

|| 4/22 Friday ||
|| After School ||

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," Mikono said as she grabbed her bag. "I have to work at the museum today."

"How is it you can balance working long hours, school life, and find the time to study?" Ann asked.

"When the museum isn't busy, I'm able to study at the front desk or in my dad's office. Friday is the slowest day of the week while Sunday is the busiest. Maybe you should apply for a part-time position. My parents are always looking for extra help."

"I think I'll pass... History isn't my forte."

"If you sit down with me for a few hours, you'll learn plenty." Mikono placed her bag over her shoulder and noticed it was heavier than usual. She thought about checking what was inside, but she shook her head and decided against it.

"Bye, Mikono!" Ann shouted as the girl left the classroom.

She walked out of the school and to the train station. She boarded the train and arrived at Shibuya Station fifteen minutes later. Pushing through the crowd, she exited the station and headed to the museum. When she arrived, Isaac greeted her with a hug and told her she'd be working the front desk again.

Mikono sauntered over the front desk and tossed her bag on to the surface. She was startled when a meow emitted from her bag. She jumped back before composing herself and opening her bag. When a familiar cat's head poked out of her bag, she gasped. "M-Morgana?!"

"Please be gentle with me, Lady Mikono," it whimpered.

"Why are you in my bag?" She asked, sitting down in the chair behind the front desk.

"Oh, nothing," it hummed. "I just wanted a change of scenery."

"Uh-huh, sure. I'll buy that...for now." She arranged the desk and tended to any visitors who were waiting to buy a ticket to explore the museum. Morgana hopped out of her bag and into her lap once she dealt with the visitors, watching her as she used the computer to scroll through the exhibits located in the annex.

"Wow, your parents sure have been busy collecting artifacts," Morgana stated.

"Tell me about it. They'll be leaving for Italy next month to head to an excavation site. They won't be back until the end of May."

"You'll be all alone for an entire month?!"

"Not an entire month, but close to it." She placed her hand on Morgana's head and stroked its soft fur. "I'll be fine. I'm a big girl and know how to care for myself."

"Could I stay with you?" Its eyes glistened with hope. "I could have all the fatty tuna and rice I want and keep you company!"

"Sorry, Morgana. No pets allowed even when my parents are out of town."

"They don't have to know."

"Like I said-"

"Who're you talking to, Honey?" Ichika inquired as she walked up to the front desk.

Mikono's eyes widen as she tried to hide Morgana. Unfortunately, it was too late. "H-Hi, Mom. I was, um..."

The woman spotted the cat and awed. "What an adorable cat! How'd it get in here?"

"Th-This is actually my friend's cat. It snuck into my bag and I wound up carrying it all the way here," the girl replied. "I'm sorry for brining it inside the museum."

"That's all right. Is it hungry? We have some leftover salmon from lunch." Morgana meowed in response, making Ichika's smile widen. "I'll take that as a yes. I'll be back shortly."

Mikono sighed, staring down at the cat in her lap. She continued to scroll through the new exhibits until she heard someone enter the museum. Looking up with a smile, she greeted the person. "Welcome. Would you... Akira?"

"Hey," he smiled. "I was leaving school when I noticed Morgana wasn't with me. I came by to ask if you'd seen it, but..." He stared at the cat in her lap.

"It decides to sneak into my bag before I left school. I noticed my bag was heavier than usual. I didn't realize it was Morgana until I got here."

"Sorry about that," Akira sighed. "I'll take Morgana from you."

"No!" The cat hissed. "I'm not going anywhere until I get my salmon!"

"Calm down, you'll get your fish," Mikono groaned.

Just then, Ichika returned with a plate of sliced salmon on it. She placed it on the floor and the feline immediately pounced on it. "There you go." She strokes its back as it munched down on the fish. While petting Morgana, she looked up and saw Akira. "Oh, you're the boy Mikono brought home a week ago! Kurusu, correct?"

"Y-Yes, Ma'am," Akira nervously replies.

"Have you already forgotten what I said?" The woman sighed. "Please, call me Ichika."

Mikono noticed Akira trying to say her mother's name and saw the difficultly he was having. She swooped in and came to his rescue. "If you're not comfortable calling her by her first name, you can address her as Dr. Tsutsui. And for my dad, you can call him Dr. Blackwell."

"R-Right..." Akira muttered before clearing his throat. "It's a pleasure to see you again so soon, Dr. Tsutsui."

"It is, indeed," Ichika replied. "Are you here to retrieve your cat or are you simply visiting my daughter? Or could you possibly applying for a part-time position?"

"I came here to see Mikono and retrieve Morgana."

"Ah, so that's this little fellow's name," she said, glancing down at the feline. "Well then, I'll let you two chat. I've some paperwork to tend to. It was nice to see you again, Kurusu. You can come to the museum or our house any time! We'll welcome you with open arms."

"Thank you," Akira bowed politely before the woman sauntered away. He leaned against the front desk, releasing a heavy sigh. "I'm just glad it wasn't your dad..."

"My mom loves you even though she hasn't really gotten to known you," Mikono explained. "Then again, she always assumes a boy is my boyfriend when I bring them to the house. My dad, on the other hand, is overprotective. He always jumps the gun and believes every boy I bring home is a demon in disguise. You should've seen the way he reacted around Ryuji when they first met."

Akira hesitantly met the girl's cerulean gaze. "Have you..."

She arched a brow. "Have I what?"

The boy couldn't bring himself to finish his question. "Never mind."

Morgana saw this and asked in his stead. "Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

"No. I haven't really fallen in love. It's a little difficult to since I'm labeled an outsider at school and everyone basically avoids me like I'm the Black Plague," Mikono replied, glancing down at Morgana. "But I'm not bothered by it. All I care about is you, Akira, Ryuji, and Ann. You four are my friends after all."

The animal hopped on to the desk and sat down by the computer. It noticed the slightly melancholic expression on Akira's face from being friend-zoned and tried to change the subject. "Anyway, we should probably head out. Akira needs to do some more studying."

"All right," Mikono nodded. "I know studying is dreadful, but exams will be here before you know it."

"Yeah," Akira said. "Never was the best studier."

"Maybe on one of my day's off, we can study together again. Studying is easier if there's someone to study with."

The smile returned to his face. "I'd like that."

"Don't study too hard. We still have school tomorrow and you wouldn't want to be exhausted when you wake up."

"I won't," Akira chuckled as Morgana hopped into his bag. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mikono."

"Goodbye, Akira."